I stand next to Macey as she rings Lindsey's doorbell.

"Macey! It's so good to see you, babe." Lindsey exclaims as she hugs Macey. "And Kathryn, it's so good to see you too! I'm glad you're here," she smiles at me, but her eyes seem to be scanning me up and down.

"It's good to see you too, Lindsey." I smile, but I can't shake the feeling that she's sizing me up.

"Please, come on in," she says, opening the door to her house.

As soon as we step inside, I realise that Lindsey's whole house is pink. Every single wall is a different shade of pink, and there are pink throw pillows and blankets on every piece of furniture. It's like I'm in a nightmare version of Barbie's dream house. One whole wall is covered in pictures of Lindsey alone, posing in different outfits. Some are selfies, some are candid shots, and some are clearly taken by a professional photographer. It's a little unsettling, to be honest.

"Sorry, I have to take this," Lindsey says when her phone rings, and rushes off to answer it.

"Her house is like, literal goals, isn't it?" Macey whispers to me and I can't help but shudder.

"Sorry about that. It was Sondra from the Pink Power Booster Club. She has the flu," Lindsey says as she returns.

"Does that mean tonight's meeting is cancelled?" Macey asks and Lindsey nods, looking disappointed.

"What's the Pink Power Booster Club?" I ask, curious.

"It's a club to boost our pink power!" Macey says excitedly. What does that even mean?

"We'd ask you to join but it's only for kids with single moms. I hope you understand," Lindsey says in a slightly condescending tone, raising her eyebrows.

"Um, yeah. Of course." I respond.

"We should give ourselves Mani-Pedis! Madison's waiting in my room," Lindsey says, and leads the way down the hallway.

As we enter, Madison runs up to Lindsey and whispers about some drama that's been going on at school. They're clearly enjoying gossiping about other people, and I can't help but wonder what they say about me when I'm not around.

"Hey guys!" Madison says happily as I wave to her and Macey gives her air kisses. "Kathryn! How are you liking Riverbrook High?"

"It's not bad. I don't think I've been here long enough to form a proper opinion. It definitely has some interesting people," I comment, trying to be polite.

"Ooh yeah, we heard all about your little brawl with Ashleigh McKnight," Lindsey chimes in.

"You did, huh?" I say, feeling a little defensive.

"Don't worry, we're completely on your side. Ashleigh is trash," Madison assures.

"We call her Trashleigh," Lindsey giggles. "Isn't that so funny?"

"I see what you did there," I say, trying to acknowledge her attempt at humor despite not finding it particularly amusing. I can't shake the feeling that these girls aren't as friendly as they seem.

Lindsey hands me a bottle of hot pink nail paint and says, "This will look so much better on you than the black you have on." I hate the color but use it anyway because I can't be bothered dealing with her.

"Kathryn, can I be honest with you?" She asks and I nod, bracing myself for whatever she's about to me. "This whole rocker chick, goth girl look? It's so 2005. Emos are so not in anymore," she sighs, looking at me like I'm a broken toy.

"Um, okay," I say in response to her unsolicited advice.

"Okay, glad that's settled," she smiles. The girls continue to do their nails and I struggle to keep myself from strangling Lindsey. I am not a 2005 emo girl!

"Hey, I have an idea!" Lindsey exclaims. "Since the pink power meeting got cancelled, why don't we have a sleepover?"

Oh god, no.

Madison nods excitedly, making her curly brown hair fly around.

"I'll call my mom and check with her," says Macey. Say no, Aunt Augusta. Please. I'm counting on you. "My mom said yes!"

"What about you, Kathryn?" Madison asks and I quickly make up a lie about having a movie night with my brother.

"I can call him and check," Macey offers and I try to stop her but I'm too late. She's already on the phone with him. "Hey Wyatt, is it okay if Kathryn stays over at Lindsey's tonight?"

"Yeah, cool, whatever," Wyatt says, sounding distracted. Stupid brother. He hangs up before we can say anything else.

"Greaaat," I say with false enthusiasm.

We talk for hours, but to be honest, I just don't feel like I fit in with Macey and her friends. It's not that they aren't nice, they're actually really kind to me. It's just that our interests are so different. They love pink, while I'm all about black. And the humor I find funny, they just didn't get. They think I dress like a homeless person, but I think they tried way too hard. It's weird because they act like they like me, but at the same time, I feel like they don't really like me at all. It's hard to explain, but they act like I'm inferior in some way that I don't understand. Like, I get it, we're different. So what? They don't have to make me feel like a loser about it.

"Let's play truth or dare!" Macey says.

"Yes!" I say excitedly, thinking that the night might finally get interesting.

"Kathryn, truth or dare?" Lindsey asks.

"Truth," I say hesitantly.

"How old were you when you first learnt to drive?" She asks.

"Oh, I can't drive," I shrug.

"Oh my gosh, seriously? You can't drive?" She snickers as Madison and Macey join in.

"I always took public transport back in New York," I respond, trying not to get annoyed.

"Riiiight," Madison says. "Don't worry, girl. We don't judge."

"How old were you when you first did it?" Lindsey asks me.

"It?" I ask.

"Yeah, it," Madison repeats.

"I'm pretty sure my turn is over, isn't it?" I laugh.

"Oh come on, just answer!" She begs.

"Whatever, I haven't done it yet." I roll my eyes. "Not that it's any of your business."

"You can tell us, Kat," Macey insists.

"I really haven't," I say again.

"Come on, we've seen Gossip Girl. We know how girls from New York are," Lindsey says. Is she for real?

"Gossip Girl is a TV show. Besides, I'm not from the Upper East Side. I'm from Queens," I laugh.

"Fine. You can lie all you want," Lindsey says, sounding annoyed. What is her problem?

"You know, you actually kinda look like Blair!" Madison says excitedly and Macey and Lindsey give her a look that says 'Are you blind?'

"I think she looks more like Dorota," Lindsey states. "But like in a pretty way, of course! Dorota is very pretty."

"You know what? It's late. I'm gonna get some shut eye," I say, deciding that I've had enough.

"Jeez girl, chill," Madison laughs. "We're just kidding. It's what friends do."

I try to ignore their remarks and fall asleep, feeling like an alien in their world of pink and conformity.

The next morning, Lindsey's voice fills the room with a loud, "Rise and shine!"

I quickly freshen up and she hands me some clothes saying, "These will look great on you. They're a little big for me anyway!"

"Thanks, but I'm fine with wearing my clothes from yesterday," I reply.

"No, I insist," she says. Is there any point arguing with her?

"Okay," I reluctantly take the clothes from her. I put on her pink sweater and plaid skirt and I hate it already. It looks like something Gretchen from mean girls would wear. I mean, it looks good on Gretchen, but I am not Gretchen. I'm probably more of a Janis. I try to be polite and thank her, despite all her passive aggressive comments last night.

"Oh, I almost forgot! This will look so cute on you," she says, giving me a fedora as Madison giggles.

"Is this some kind of a joke? I'm not wearing this," I hand it back to her, annoyed and she looks offended.

"Kathryn, please. You're being rude. She was so kind to us last night. You can take it off later," Macey whispers.

"Fine," I take it back and sigh, walking towards Lindsey's car. We get in and Lindsey turns on her favorite song: 'Selfie' by The Chainsmokers and all three of them sing along. Kill me now..

.

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A/N
Arielle Kebbel as Lindsey and Kat Graham as Madison pictured on top!

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